Kids Helping Kids® Real Life Examples

Many students and school groups have demonstrated great concern for the hungry in our community. Some have found inventive ways to help reduce the problem of hunger. Here are a few examples from over the years:

Southwestern High School, Detroit, Michigan

Students from teacher LaVeta Browne's Global Issues class sponsored a fashion show and basketball game. $1,000 and 2100 pounds of food were donated to Gleaners. The school's fundraising project is being chronicled with a digital photo diary.

Grandview Elementary

Mrs. Christine Jahns, health teacher, garnered the support of the principal and teachers to craft bowls for a silent auction at the Annual Empty Bowls Soup Dinner. The entire student body and parents gathered in the cafeteria for dinner and entertainment. The event raised $1,975.

Seaholm High School, Birmingham, Michigan

Mrs. Cheryl Shettel, Community Service Director
Each autumn, Seaholm's traditional Field Day makes Gleaners part of the celebration. The students circulate collection bags throughout the neighborhood. Grades compete with each other for the most pounds of food collected. Since 1990, Seaholm collections have ranged from 10,000 to 23,000 pounds per year, making them the largest single school contributor year after year.

Jack and Jill of America, Oakland County Chapter

Betty George, Family Day Chairperson, coordinated the efforts of more than 100 children in the making of personal hygiene kits in which were donated to Gleaners. The kits were distributed to a Detroit elementary school. The children also donated $200 to buy jump ropes.

Marian High School, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Charlene Krupitzer, Campus Ministry, organizes Pantry Day. the students visit Gleaners to pack for and to donate food and cash donations. The annual donations have ranged from $600 to $1,000.

Stellwagen Elementary School, Detroit, Michigan

Counselor Jacqueline Adside's students have drawn posters and written essays on hunger including themes such as: "Unemployment From A Child's Point of View" and "Hungry Kids Can't Learn - Truth or Myth?"

Franklin High School, Livonia, Michigan

Teacher Jack Kalousek says, "Over the years, hundreds of Franklin students have been introduced to the pleasures of volunteerism through Gleaners. I firmly believe that what we do at Gleaners is not nearly as important as what the students derive from being there. We have done Empty Bowls projects, nonperishable food drives, projects to introduce to elementary schools volunteerism and the need to help others, and we have responded when emergencies have required Gleaners to perform in special ways like after the tornado and an ice storm."

Detroit Country Day, Beverly Hills, Michigan

In 1999, teacher Randall C. Meono, organized Van Can Day. That year, the Mighty M & Ms did their first Van Can Day. The goal was to fill a teacher's old van with empty cans and bottles and then donate the proceeds to Gleaners. That first year, they raised $140 from the event. It has since become an annual event. Van Can Days raised $218.60 in 2000, $162.40 in 2001, and $200 in 2002.